Meet Ryan
Born in the USA (Mustang, Oklahoma)
From a sheltered upbringing, he started traveling in 2016 and, since then, has formed footprints on 52 countries across 6 continents
Travel Style: Off-the-grid, and self-described “Adventurous but Aging-Backpacker“
Interview
“Gravel Roads by Ryan Crain.” What does that mean to you?
Answer: Wow, what a potent question. To be short but blunt, it means everything to me. It encompasses who I am as a human being, my deepest and darkest secrets, my experiences around this planet, and how all of that has shaped the man I am today and who I will transform into tomorrow. It is my gift to the world and to myself. It is, quite simply, ALL of me.
What do you want others to take away from your story?
Answer: I would like others to take away two key points: First, I want anyone who reads my story to know that if you are struggling with your mental health, to please never give up. It is OK not to be OK. It is even more OK to ask for help. Human resilience is a powerful force, and the primary motivator behind why I wrote my book. Maybe, just maybe, it could help save one person’s life.
Second, I would like others to know (especially my fellow Americans) how much more is out there in the world beyond our home country. Before my first trip abroad, I had a very American-centric view and believed our country was superior to all others in every way. The more I traveled, the more I realized how small and unwise I really am. The more I realized that there is no greatest country in the world. The more I realized most people are the same in every corner of the globe—we are all fighting for the same slice of happiness—regardless of language, religion, nationality, or sexual orientation. In short, WE ARE ALL THE SAME!
Lastly, with a little common sense and faith in humanity, the world is a much safer place than most people give it credit for. If you have the desire and you have the means, travel, right now; as far, as wide, and as often as possible. Because when you come home, you may go back to the same job and the same routine, but something inside of you will have changed. And trust me, that changes everything.
It’s evident from the positive reviews that your debut memoir is a remarkable book. Even more impressive, you’re a self-published author. What advice can you give someone considering the indie route, but needs guidance?
Answer: My biggest piece of advice is to hire a professional editor and a professional cover designer. These were absolute game-changers for me. Yes, it will cost you, but it makes such a profound difference that it’s hard for me to advise against it. The first drafts of the best writers on the planet are always garbage. Cut and polish, and then cut and polish again. It took me five full drafts to create something readable, and I couldn’t have done it without the eye of a vetted professional. They don’t tell you what or how to write, they just see holes and errors that we oftentimes can’t see, and they will challenge you to go deeper.
Also, I promise you don’t need a whole chapter about your pet goldfish that passed away. It sounds terrible, but we have to let go of and kill our darlings. If a reader gets bored, you will lose them. Envision this instead: Imagine a complete stranger sits down at your dinner table and asks you to tell them a story. The only caveat is that the second they get bored or disinterested, they are allowed to leave. Write from this place. Write your story with the intention that a complete stranger will be so immersed in your world for hours on end that they don’t want to leave your dinner table. And that after you’re done sharing your story with them, they will want nothing more than to go share it with the world.
At what point in your life did you get bitten by the travel bug?
Answer: Hands down, my first ever trip abroad to Lisbon, Portugal in 2016. I’ll never forget the feeling as if I had landed on a different planet and a new world was before me. It was as if the first thirty years of my life had been lived with a blindfold wrapped tightly around my face.
What is the “Ryan Crain” blueprint for planning and executing a round-the-world trip?
Answer: My blueprint is plan minimal in advance. Have a completely open-ended and flexible plan. Be willing to go anywhere at any time. Buy a one-way flight, pack a single bag, and GO SEE THE WORLD! Being locked into pre-paid reservations for a round-the-world excursion doesn’t scream “Adventure.” Go get lost in our big, beautiful world.
When it comes to finances, my motto was to “Save where I can, so I can spend where I want.” I was frugal when and where I needed to be, but if I wanted to charter a helicopter over the 12 Apostles in Southern Australia—I did! If I wanted to book a private boat tour around the Thai Islands—I did! Be smart, be responsible, but have some damn fun along the way! After all, this will be a once-in-a-lifetime trip.
Oh, and don’t underestimate the value of visiting a destination in the offseason. Visiting Paris in February will be brutal cold, but prices will be half and crowds will be minimal.
What common misconceptions have people (loved ones or strangers) thought about you as a traveler?
Answer: The most common misconception is that I am wealthy. Almost every single question I get from loved ones or strangers revolves around money. “Who is paying for this eternal vacation?” or “That credit card debt must be piling up real fast.” It becomes quite annoying, to be honest. Most people go all-out on vacation, spending extravagant amounts of money on food, lodging, and flights. And so, there’s a misconception that all travel has to be expensive and luxurious; but it simply isn’t true for long-term travelers and backpackers. On a global scale, yes, I am very wealthy and privileged. But on a ‘United States of America’ scale, I am as middle-class as it gets.
Discuss a few challenges that you encountered during your gap year around the world.
Answer: Oh man, where do I begin haha. First, I believe it is important to acknowledge that long-term travel is not an unending string of euphoric moments. I had bad mental health days abroad just like I would have back home. Days where I questioned what I was doing and the true purpose of my adventures—days where I just deeply missed my family or everyday life back home.
Secondly, I encountered severe burnout around month 7 of my year-long journey. This was very uncomfortable and much more intense than a down day. Moving around became a chore, and the sheer amount of research needed to figure out how to get from Point A to Point B was utterly exhausting. Nothing excited me anymore. I almost went home but decided to push through to the other side after really slowing down and taking the utmost care of myself.
Lastly, and probably the most challenging (but also the most important), was being confronted with some very harsh realities of the world. Travel isn’t always pretty or easy. You will see snapshots of human lives that are hard to bear or imagine. Your heart will crumble and your head will want to help those less fortunate out. The majority of the human population does not live in conditions that most of the Western world is used to. Oftentimes, my travels seemed trivial and trite compared to those who were just trying to survive. But this was also the greatest gift I have ever given to myself, even if it was uncomfortable to reconcile head-on, and it has left an indelible mark on my consciousness.
“Travel is a luxury.” Why do agree or disagree with the statement?
Answer: I mostly disagree that travel is a luxury. While it certainly can be if you set it up that way, I believe a better word to define travel is a ‘privilege.’ Mobility and the ability to see the world are absolutely reserved for the worldwide elite. And by the worldwide elite, I am referring to anyone who makes more than $40k/USD per year or more. Because that is the amount of money it takes to be in the top 1% of earners globally. There is so much immobility and injustice in most of the developing world, that a vast majority of the human population will never leave the country they were born into. On top of that, the visa process for many people to leave their country is simply too expensive or too complicated—or both.
Take for example where I live in the beautiful country of Mexico. For a Mexican citizen to legally be able to visit the United States of America in order to see New York City or the Grand Canyon, they have to pay a non-refundable deposit in order to secure an interview at the nearest consulate, which isn’t always easy to get to. They then have to show proof of income, proof of a job, and proof of available funds to travel to the USA. Then, they may or may not be approved for a tourist visa. If they aren’t, they don’t get their money back. Many Americans take for granted the unearned advantage they have to buy a plane ticket from the comfort of their living room on their computer, show up at the airport, and present their passport to board a flight and enter into another country. So many people do not have this privilege.
You’ve circumvented the world and written a book about it. After such grand achievements, how do you stay motivated?
Answer: Just hearing this question asked makes me take a second to fully process what I’ve done. It is still hard to fathom sometimes to be honest. However, at this point in my life, my primary motivation is IMPACT. I am trying to create a life where I can have the most amount of positive impact on others. Not from a “Savior” perspective, but borne from an idea of collaboration, community, diversity, empowerment, recognition, human connection, and healing. I haven’t exactly figured this part out yet, but I truly have a deep desire to bring forth the best in all of us. We have so much to learn from each other. We are better off when we ask for help. We grow quicker when we surround ourselves with a strong community.
My deepest desire would be to get my book to a place where I am leading men’s groups for mental health advocacy, organizing travel groups to far-flung corners of the Earth to bring awareness to the unseen and the unfair, and continue writing more books about humanity and the beautiful world we all inhabit as a human race. The ultimate goal for all of this impact is to create more kindness and compassion in our ever-divisive world.
If you had a Netflix show, what would it be about?
Answer: Without a doubt, it would be about the people and human relationships that are so near and dear to my heart. When I first started traveling, I was more interested in seeing the Wonders of the World or checking an item off of my bucket list. And there is nothing wrong with this to be sure; but eventually, every intrepid traveler reaches a point where it all comes back to the people. This was absolutely the case for me and my year-around-the-world. I remember the relationships I forged along the way far more profoundly than which World Wonder I saw or a nation’s top attraction.
In my Netflix show, I would sit down with people from every different country, religion, race, sexual orientation, economic class, etc., and listen to their stories. I want to know their struggles, their dreams, what drives them, what limitations they have, how their childhood shaped their adult years, and so much more. For me, my Netflix show will always and forever be about humanity.
Would you rather spend a year living in your dream destination or traveling to countries you skipped the first time around? Why?
Answer: I think about this question from time to time actually. Adventure and exploration will always be deeply embedded into my being. I thrive on the unknown and venturing into places many people wouldn’t consider visiting. That will always be a huge part of who I am. However, at this stage in my life, I am really interested in slowing down and building a community.
Currently, I have nested down in a small surfing town on the Pacific Coast of Mexico called Sayulita for the last two years. I can walk from end to end in 20 minutes. I can walk out of my door with my surfboard and be on the water in 5 minutes. I can say “Hello” to my Mexican neighbors every time I walk past, all of whom don’t know a single word of English, and they still invite us into their homes. Living here and being immersed in this country has gifted me with so many lessons and perspective shifts that I will never forget. It is so, so much more than swanky resorts in Cancun or Cabo. Mexico is truly such a unique and special place, brimming with history and culture, and adventure. I truly believe that this country needs to be shared, cherished, and written about for the entire world to see—so as to never be forgotten. And this level of appreciation can only come from staying in one place for an extended period of time.
The goal at this stage of my life is to truly be able to say, “I love where I live.”
To collaborate with or learn more about Ryan Crain, follow him on Instagram @ryancrain_05. Also, you can order his inspiring and entertaining five-star debut memoir by clicking here.
